Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1887-04-13

cit mayn't matter much to you.
Tad" he said, very tendcrly and rev.
crently. "but 1t matters c'nsider'blo 10
Him that's watchin' you from up aloft,
for II lie hadn't some sort OF sailin'
orders for you. IIc ncver'd "a sot you
hdrift on this here sea Of life. Now,
my lad" Captaia Flagg continued,
impressivcly, "only for your overhaul
In aud runnin' down that privatoerin'
chap under false colors, Id have lost
the ships papers, aud nigh forty dol
lars In clean cash. To say nothin' Of the
good turn you did Polly hero. this
mornin'. which amt like to forget
And, summin' 1t all up" said the Cap
tain. patting blushing Tad on the
shoulder, i've made up my mind to
give you
"No. SIR" interrupted Tad. with a
decisive shake Of the head, 81 didn't
want any thing for what I've done"
ITO give you-a chance aboard the
"Mary ito be-c-e-e gallant
Sail-yer bo-o-O-o-y.'" Trolling ont the
concluding words. which were q re-
piniscencc 81 some old sea-song. in e
deep voice, that might have come from
his cavernous boots, the Captain leaned
back In his chair. and beamcd
benevolcntly upon Tad. who did not
seem quite ~ much overcome by the
magnitude Of the offer as ono might al
Grst suppose.
I'm ever 80 much obliged, Capt'n
Flagg." faltorcd Tad. conscious that
Polly was waiting for his answer, with
a look Of pleased expectancy In her
bright facc, "but I'm afraid
"That you'll 10 sea-sick2 Oh. that's
nothing-you'll get right overit, :" broke
In Polly. with impctuous assurance.
And SO well assured did both father and
daughter seem TO feel that Tad would
Jump At the preferred honor. that Tad
half-uttered refusal died away on his
lips
III began 70 the very Shccrpole NY
SELF" explained tho Captain, In the
fulncSs Of his heart, land. when was
your sizo, WAS rtftin' logs to q mill;
then l pulled bow-oar In a gundl low,
and after I'd gone two or three trips TO
the Banks, shipped as fo'mast hand
in n coastin' vessel. / was n GOOD
many years workin' myself from the
fo'c'slc to the quarterback" said Capt
Rin Flagg. with O solemn shake of his
head, "but done II. and now I'm en-
mander and owner Of n quarter Of the
MARY j."
II good Captain Flagg had been
master Of two-thousand-ton Al full
rugged clipper. he could not have
spoken with more conscious pride than
In this simple narration, and after rc-
YRrding him with admiring awe, as one
70 whom the wonders and mysteries Of
the sea were an open book. Tad glanced
Ouriously around the cabin
II was q quaint little interior. with q
Ourtained berth ON either side, and a
state-roonl. rather larger than n good
sized dry-goods box, at the back Of the
steps leading down from the deck,
which was occupied for tho present by
Miss Polly Flagg. who was making her
vacation voyage with her father. as q
reward Of merit for improvement in her
studies at the Blxport town school. Thl
main-mast which ran up through the
cabin hoor and roof about midway. had
nails driven In Il on which were
hung the Captains oil-clotlIes and Poi
ly's big sun-bonnct. A sort Of folding
table. attached to the aftcr-part Of ths
mast by hinge. could be turned M
out Of the way when not in use. A
dingy-facod clock. like big letter o
hooked down from the wall. while OPP
Poslte was a highly-colored lithograpi
representing the once famous clipper
-Dreadnought" blowing through very
green sens under a very blue sky
Thore was no carpet on tho floor
which. however, was scrupulouslJ
elOan. while three chairs, in various
stages Of dilapidation. composed the
pnurs stock Of furniture; but to Tad Il
was one Of the most delightful places
imaginable. and he lOnged for bed-tim,
~ come. 20 that he could stow himself
away In the little berth which had beer
assigned 10 him BY Captain FlAgg.
"An hans on dockr' gravely an
nsuaosd the Captain. ~ she siiY slesk'
sauck wa